My first shift back at work seemed to go agonisingly slowly, as if someone had stopped or slowed down the clocks. My thoughts earlier had been correct. Josh Curtis was a good man. As soon as I'd got in, he'd come over to my desk to check on me, if my family were ok. "Getting their thanks Josh," I smiled at him. "Jenna's doing fine, as is Craig. Thanks for asking, means a lot." I was due to finish at five, but I asked him if I could take an hour off because we had an engagement tonight. He'd smiled and agreed. When I got out the double doors, there was Michael, just as he'd promised. I smiled and waved, heading over to the car. It was then I saw Stuart was in the front seat. I smiled again as I hopped in the back. It was then I noticed both Stuart and Michael were wearing suits. Stuart made sense, but Michael… Immediately, my heart sped up. Damn that turned me on and he bloody well knew it!

"Hey Stu," I smiled at my brother in law, then likely touched my husband's shoulder. He turned and kissed me, before silently pulling out of the parking lot. "How was court?" Stuart shrugged, as Michael pulled on to the main road. "Bleh," he grinned. "Long, boring, same old. How's work? What you organising this time?"

"Nothing yet," I said. "Just putting adverts out there for people to use us." I hadn't mentioned my engagement ring yet, decided I'd do it maybe that night or tomorrow. I didn't want to detract from Lance's news, whatever it was. But when I saw Stuart's eyes widen, I knew he'd seen it. "Looks like you will soon," he smiled at me. "Except you won't be involved in the organising if I know Tara and Jenna. Congratulations you two."

"Thanks," I smiled shyly at him, feeling as if I was walking on air all over again. Although in truth that feeling hadn't stopped all day. It sounded like everyone was going to treat it like our first marriage, even though we already were. I was excited just at the thought of it. I wanted to show Michael just how much he meant to me. Properly this time. To make my promises, show him he was the centre of my world. I saw Stuart glancing forward then and followed his gaze. We were stuck in traffic, but Michael was unmoving. No sign of aggression, road rage, nothing. I felt myself shiver a little. Inhumanly patient, he'd been described as. Apparently that extended to traffic. I looked at Stuart and could see immediately by his face he was thinking exactly the same. Damn. No wonder Michael Myers was… Had been? So dangerous. It was then I noticed the slight rip in Stuart's shirt collar.

"Did you know your collars a little ripped?" I asked. He nodded. "Yeah," he shrugged. "Must not have seen that this morning."

I saw Michael give him a look and immediately knew. It hadn't been like that this morning. Stuart was hiding something. "Oh yeah?" I asked gently. Again, he shrugged.

Eventually we resumed moving and Michael stopped at a petrol station. Glancing over I saw our fuel gage was heading towards red. Before either of us could move, Stuart was out and filling up the car. He didn't stop until the tank was full. I winced. I couldn't afford it really right then. But before I could do anything, Stuart had pulled out his card and paid. I sighed. "How did I know he would do that?" I said quietly to Michael. "He's been trying to give you something for ages." Michael nodded. I leant forward and spoke softly. "His shirt wasn't ripped this morning was it? He's hiding something. If someone's hurt him I swear to God…" But I could say no more because Stuart got back in to the car at that moment. "Thanks, but you really shouldn't have," I said sternly.

"Well I just did," he tucked his wallet in his pocket. "So there." I couldn't stop a grin as we pulled away. "Thanks," I said smiling at him. "I couldn't have afforded to fill the tank up fully right now. I really appreciate that." I was sure Michael also nodded.

"No problem," he smiled at us. "Least I could do." "You know what else you could do for us?" I asked softly. Stuart raised an eyebrow. "What?" "Tell us what happened to your shirt."

Once again, we were stuck in traffic and Michael showed exactly the same silent patience he always did. It occurred to me that we could be stuck here for a month and Michael wouldn't bat an eyelid. How the hell did he do that? Again, I felt that shiver.

Stuart sighed. "Fine. But it's nothing. My Client's brother got a little physical today after proceedings finished. He's naturally questioning my defence of his brother. That's all. I wasn't hurt, he just grabbed my collar but was quickly pulled off by security. I'm fine, no harm done. He'll have to pay for a new shirt."

"That's no fucking excuse to get physical," I said, anger building inside me. "You're just doing your job. Son of a bitch. Were you ok? I mean…"

"J!" He put a hand on my arm. "I'm absolutely fine. I didn't feel ill afterwards, shocked, or anything. No harm done. I promise you."

"You'd better be telling us the truth," I said sternly, only this time I wasn't pretending. "Tara will kill you if you're not." He grinned a little. "Don't I know it. But I promise you, I'm totally fine. He just grabbed my collar and was shouting abuse at me. Such a charmer. But I promise, absolutely no harm done except a ripped collar."

"Come on damn it," I said glaring the the huge queue in front of us. "What the hell's going on?"

"Accident?" Stuart suggested. We were going absolutely nowhere, so I slipped out and glanced ahead. There was nothing visible I could see at first, then I saw the man struggling in a ditch. It seemed his car was upside down. People were trying to get him out. Where the hell were the cops?

"Bloody hell," I said as I slid back in. "There's a bloke up there upside down in a ditch. He can't get out of his car." Before I even saw it, Michael had got out and headed up on foot. Stuart and I followed, unable to stop ourselves. Michael walked up to the upside-down car and I could only watch in opened mouthed awe, as he righted it with body strength alone. "Holy fucking Jesus," I heard a woman gasp. I was just as speechless as she was.

"I didn't just see that, did I?" Stuart asked me. I could only nod. Now Michael had managed to get the driver's door open and was helping the shaking and white faced man from his car. "This is Michael Myers, right?" Stuart asked softly. "The masked killer?"

"Um," I said, my voice shaking. "He used to be…" As Michael held the guy's arm as he regained his balance and dealt with his shock, another member of public ran over with a water bottle. The pour bloke looked dazed, as well he might. "You alright?" Stuart called to him. The Lawyer in action. I smiled fondly as Stuart walked over to the injured man flashing his badge. Stuart would help anyone, working or not. The bloke was still deathly pale. I signalled to Michael, who helped the guy over to our car and he sank gratefully on to the back seat. "Thanks man," he said softly. I felt fine with this. Stuart and Michael were with me, I knew I was perfectly safe and this guy seemed genuine. Hell he'd also just had a nasty accident. "What happened?" Stuart asked him.

"There's an oil spillage up ahead," the man said eventually after taking another sip of water. I rummaged in my bag and handed him some painkillers. Standard, not my proscribed ones. "Thanks love," he gave me a shaky smile. "Highways are on the way to clear it."

"How did anyone not notice?" I asked.

"Because it's the same colour as the tarmac," the guy replied. He stuck out his hand to Michael. "I can't thank you enough for that pal. Name's Kyle." Michael shook Kyle's hand briefly, then so did Stuart and I. Minutes later, the highways arrived and began clearing the spillage. Now I understood why no one had been moving. Countless people had approached our car to ask Kyle if he was ok. He'd nodded and slowly his smile had become less shaky. "Never knew my fellow man could be so caring," he said finally. "It cheers me."

"Do you need a lift anywhere?" I asked.

"Thanks love, but my wife's on her way to pick me up. There she is," he added as a car pulled alongside us. "But thanks. You guys look after yourselves ok? Again, thanks so much man." He extended his hand again to Michael, who shook it a second time. "Thanks," he again shook hands with Stuart, then me. "You're lucky there," he said to me. "You've got a dam good husband there. Bet he makes you feel safe." I grinned, nodding. Kyle climbed out of our car and towards the red golf. I saw a woman obviously his wife smile warmly at us in thanks as Kyle got in.

"How the bloody hell did you do that?" Stuart asked Michael in the same awe I felt as we finally pulled away. Michael made no response, possibly because he was driving but I thought it was more likely because he had nothing to say. Stuart continued to look at him in shocked disbelief. "If I hadn't seen that with my own eyes," he said eventually. "I don't think I'd have believed it." I nodded. "I hear you."

Eventually we reached Craig and Jenna's. Stuart got out and I saw with a fond smile Tara running over to him, kissing and hugging him tightly as if they'd been apart for months, not at most twelve hours. I spoke softly in to my sister's ear. "Can you tell Craig and Jenna we'll be back? I need to… Talk to Michael alone for a while."

"Talk?" Tara smirked. "Yeah, sure." Then she saw my diamond engagement ring and her eyes widened. "Wo! Ok, talk away sis." She nudged me and then took Stuart's hand and headed inside.

"Michael," I said softly. "Mind if I talk to you alone for a little while?" He nodded, making to head back towards the driver's seat, but I was too quick. I gently pushed him back and got in before he could. He got in to the passenger seat, raising an eyebrow. I closed and locked the doors, then spoke softly. Finally, oh finally, we were alone.

"You know it turns me on when you dress like that," I leant close to him and… Holy shit! He was wearing aftershave! Good God! It made me even more aroused. "Were you planning to take me to bed or something? Because you're sure going the right way to arouse me! Holy fuck!" I felt my heart skip. He was actually smirking at me.

Wasn't my intension, but now you mention it… Hmmm.

I grabbed him by his jacket and kissed him passionately once, twice. Then I released him and started the engine. I was getting wetter and wetter between the legs every second and if I hadn't driven we may have had a crash of our own because I would've made a sexual advance from the passenger seat. It wasn't just the suit either. His kindness had also contributed considerably. I hardly knew him from the man who wouldn't have hesitated to stick a knife in me just months ago, wife or not.

When we reached his house, I got out and grabbed his hand, struggling to get the key in to the lock because my hands were shaking with longing and desire. But eventually I managed it and could hardly believe what happened next. This time it was me to push Michael to the sofa after pulling off his jacket, tie and shirt, me who rested my head against his muscular chest, me who undid the zip on his trousers and me who lay atop him as he slid easily in to me.

Fuck! It was probably the best, most intense and quickest sex we'd ever had. It didn't take me long to reach orgasm as his hand gently massaged my breast, the other against my clitoris, but I needed him so much I think it would've happened without his touch. I eventually collapsed on top of him, gasping for breath. Looking up at his face as we kissed again and again, I saw it. He was smiling right back at me and raising his notepad.

If that's the response I get I'll wear a suit every day, Jade.

"Shut up," I snuggled in to and kissed him. A long, lingering kiss.

So tell me. As good as it was, what was that for?

"Because I fucking adore you," I said, my emotion so intense a tear fell down my cheek. "Michael, it was your kindness to Kyle back there. You saved him all by yourself and we both know it. Just months back, you would've killed him not to mention me. I needed to show you, tell you how much I love you, Michael Myers."

Now it was him who pulled me close and kissed me once, twice. I pressed my head against his shoulder. "Plus," I murmured in total contentment. "You threw me to this very sofa way back and made love to me, thought it was only right and fair I return the favour."

Indeed?

He was still smirking at me. God, even that aroused me. This would never have happened just months ago. Never. I could make Michael Myers smirk! Just me! Only I could do it!

But I will be first to admit there was no love that time, Jade.

"Hmm, I know," I murmured. "So thought I'd change that too."

Jade.

He held me tightly, kissing me over and over again. I smiled back at him, our eyes locking. "I love you too," I breathed, understanding what he'd been trying to say just writing my name. "I love you too."

It wasn't long before we were making love a second time, but this time we'd removed all our clothes and it was slow, gentle and romantic. As Michael moved slowly and gently inside me, I kept asking myself how the hell I'd tamed my wild, masked and dangerous killer. But I had, with love. I could still hardly believe it.

"So tell me," it was my turn to ask as we lay in each other's arms for a few minutes before preparing to head back to Craig and Jenna's. "What's with the suit if you weren't planning to seduce me? Which I might add you do incredibly successfully without one."

He smiled. Well, we have an engagement tonight do we not?

"Yeah," I softly stroked his face. Again, I could still hardly believe I was allowed to do this now. "But it's casual if you want to be babe."

Hmm, no thank you. The suit pleases you, that's enough for me.

"I love you," I whispered, tears in my eyes once more. "I love you Michael."

I love you too, Jade.

"So," I said when we were dressed again following a quick shower together and were driving back. I was behind the wheel. "What do you think this news is Lance has?" The two bottles of wine we'd bought along with an apple pie as our contribution clinked behind my seat. Mum had asked if we could bring a pudding. Michael shrugged.

He's got a promotion?

"Possibly," I nodded.

But you have your suspicions, don't you?

"How can you tell?"

Ah, Jade. Husband's privilege.

I grinned. "Well privilege or not, you're right. I do have suspicions. So does Tara."

Care to elaborate?

"Oh come on Michael!" I smirked at him. "What do you think?"

Hmm. He's restyling his hair? That's normally women's gossip.

"Excuse me?" I pretended to glare at him. "You are so wrong there darling! Your husband's privilege is incorrect! Take that back!" But the effect was ruined by the fact I burst out laughing.

Ok, taken back. So?

I couldn't stop the giggles. God was this really Michael Myers? "Are you being deliberately facetious?" I asked eventually. "Or just genuinely ignorant?"

Excuse me, take that back!

"Touché!" I grinned. He sighed. Fine. I have my ideas. But I don't want to speculate. I'll find out when we all do.

"Boring," I nudged him.

But gossip free.

"Oh I'll change that in you Michael Myers," I laughed. "Just you wait. Before long you'll be dying to discuss things with me, us."

Hmmm, we'll see about that Mrs. Myers.

I smiled at him, the use of my married name on his pad still not failing to make my heart flip. "Indeed we will, Mr. Myers."

When we reached Craig and Jenna's, my mouth dropped open. There was probably enough food to feed the whole street. When the Henderson family got together, we did it in style. Now we had the Lawsons and a Myers with us, it was even more so. Mum smiled at us as she took the wine from Michael, then the apple pie.

"Thanks darlings," she hugged us both. She began carrying food towards the table, until Michael silently took over. This time, Mum's stern laying down the law didn't work. She tried to tell Michael she was fine, but he simply shook his head, ignoring her. Jenna and I smirked. "Ha!" Jenna whispered to me. "She can't argue this time."

We finally took our seats, just as the doorbell rang. It was Lance. Dom and Stuart were smirking at each other as their big brother entered. It was then I learnt our suspicions had been accurate and correct. Behind him walked another man. He was a little taller than Lance, but athletic and fit looking. Lance was blushing.

"Wow thanks for doing this for me guys and for all being here," he smiled nervously at us. "This looks lovely. Um, I wasn't sure how else to do this. Everyone, this is Evan Ashton, my boyfriend of three months."

"How could you not tell us?" Stuart and Dom said together, typical twins.

"Because I'd never hear the end of it," Lance grinned at his brothers, showing Evan in to the seat next to his. He introduced us all and when he said "this is my sister in law Jade and her husband Michael Myers," Evan's eyes widened. Please, I found myself thinking. Not another past. We've got two already. But Evan just smiled and I could see what he was thinking. Michael Myers? Pour bloke! Must get asked if he's that Psycho killer all the time. What the hell would happen if he said that out loud? Dad must've realised the same, because he quickly moved the subject on. "So, Evan. What are you in to?"

The evening lasted hours, but I loved every minute of it. Evan did seem to be a genuinely nice lad. Several times, I saw him looking at Michael and I wondered if he was wondering if his earlier thoughts had actually been correct. But it was obvious he didn't dare bring it up. I could see Stuart and Dom giving Evan suspicious looks and affection warmed me. God help Evan if he hurt Lance in any way. Of course when we were finished, there was more than enough food for us to all take left overs home. The nice thing about doing it buffet style was we'd all been able to walk around talking to each other. Not for the first time, I was thankful Craig and Jenna had such a big house. With eleven of us, it was needed. Evan it turned out was still at university, studying physics. He was in his third year. He'd met Lance four months ago when Lance had been at a pub with one of his friends. Evan had apparently seen him across the bar, the attraction from both sides had been instant. I hoped Evan was that "special guy" Lance had longed for and if he wasn't, that Lance would get over it without too much pain. I knew from experience that being hurt was not easy to get over. All be it mine had been abuse, as opposed to the heartbroken sense of the word.

"We won't need dinner for the next week." I said to Michael with a grin as we packed food in to our car. He smiled back at me. Lance came out to see us off.

"Wo! Just hang on a second Mrs!" He said to me. He gently grabbed my left hand, looking at my platinum engagement ring. "How the hell did I firstly not see that and secondly, why did you not tell us?" I grinned. "It was your evening," I smiled at Lance. "I wasn't going to steal your thunder."

Gently, he pulled me in to a tight hug. "Well played Michael," he smiled at my husband over my shoulder. Evan had come out behind Lance and now gave us a shy smile, shaking both our hands. Once again, I could see him looking at Michael and could almost hear what he was thinking. It can't be. Is it? He hasn't spoken all evening, but he's not wearing a mask… I gave Evan an almost imperceptible nod and his eyes went so wide I thought they were about to pop out of his head. But he said nothing, for which I was grateful. Shortly afterwards, we were in our car heading back to Michael's house.